Militia Groups Control Reconstruction Money---IRAQ

[Gloria]

From the new World Media Watch up now at http://www.zianet.com/insightanalytical
Tomorrow at Buzzflash.com

1//Azzaman in English, Iraq April 27, 2006

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2006-04-27\166.htm



MILITIA GROUPS CONTROL RECONSTRUCTION MONEY



Militia groups and their factions have the final say in granting reconstruction contracts in the ministries and provinces under their sway.



For example, members of the militias belonging to Islamic factions snatch most of government contracts in southern provinces.



“Winners are not those with lower costs and better quality. If you are not a member of the group you are denied the contract,” said a contractor from Najaf who refused to have his name revealed.



“This is official policy. I am not revealing a secret,” he added.

SNIP

The new prime minister designate, Nouri Maliki, has vowed to limit Iraqi militias’ influence and disband their armed groups.



(SNIP)


Officially, 11 militia groups operate freely in Iraq. The Kurdish north is under militias known as Peshmerga.



Kurdish leaders have made it clear they will resist any move to have their armed groups dissolved.